relpicsfrmcover

These are some pics from the Oct 2005 release atop Mount Samat in Bataan. It was a very cool and foggy day, at times very hard to see more than 20ft.
I think it was a good day for the Kite release, as it kept them very calm. After the Release, they came by one last time soaring on the thermals as if to say goodbye.

Me and Congressman Abet Garcia

Getting the Kites ready to go. they were hooded and blanketed to prevent injury to themselves. The Checkered shirted individual is my best friend and veterinarian...Doc Borja

from (L) to (R): Mike Lu president of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines; Congressman Abet Garcia; myself; and between Abet and myself is Mayor Charlie Pizzaro

FREE AT LAST!!!

link to article above



	Bataan Declared as Birds Sanctuary Written by Butch Gunio Friday, 28 October 2005 Pilar, Bataan- With the symbolical release of a pair of Philippine lawin (brahminy kite) this morning atop the historical Mt. Samat here, the Bataan officials and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have declared the province as birds sanctuary. Bataan second district Rep. Albert ?Abet? who personally released one of the birds said the declaration is a significant step to preserve the wild birds found in the province, a known destination of migratory birds. Garcia added that all Filipinos should become environment caretakers particularly the wildlife even as he called bird watchers and enthusiasts, and residents to be extra vigilant about the Avian Flu epidemic hitting other Asian countries. ?The Province of Bataan is rich in wildlife and we must act to protect all these wild species like wildlife birds,? declared Garcia. DENR Regional Technical Director Rogelio Trinidad that the move of Bataan is the first in Region 3, noting the Philippines could easily passed as laboratory for ecologists and environmentalists for having the most number of wildlife species. Trinidad admitted there is an urgent need for serious conservation efforts in the region, which has been neglected for years citing that the initiative of Bataan might spark environmental response to nearby provinces. According to the president of the Wild Birds Club of the Philippines, Bataan has a recorded 30 species of wetland birds. He revealed that in 2002, there were 13,920 species of birds recorded in Puerto Rivas, a swampy fishing village north of Balanga City. Recently, the municipal council of Pilar passed a resolution barring hunting especially wildlife birds in Mt, Samat, a still forested area despite encroachment on its foot by settlers. The two ceremonial birds, it was learned, was given by an ex-US marine officer living in Panilao village here who bought them three years ago in a Quiapo market cruelly placed in small cages and claws pulled out.